Perry Farrell facts for kids

Perry Farrell (born Peretz Bernstein; March 29, 1959) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Many people call him the "Godfather of Alternative Music" because of his big influence. Farrell started his music journey with a band called Psi Com in the early 1980s.

He is also famous for creating Lollapalooza. This started as a touring festival and is now a huge yearly event. It features many different types of music.

Farrell has also released his own music. He has started other music projects too, like Kind Heaven Orchestra and Heaven After Dark.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Peretz Bernstein was born in Queens, New York City, on March 29, 1959. He grew up in a Jewish family. His mother was an artist, and his father was a jeweler. When Farrell was three years old, his mother passed away.

He spent his early school years in Woodmere, Long Island. Later, his family moved to Florida. When he was a teenager, they moved to North Miami Beach, Florida.

After finishing high school at age seventeen, Farrell wanted adventure. He took a bus to California. He brought a surfboard and art supplies with him. He said he wanted to focus on surfing. But he also started loving music. He was inspired by bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.

In the early 1980s, he lived in Los Angeles. He worked as a club singer for a short time. Farrell also worked in construction and as a waiter. Sometimes, he even lived in his car. While in California, he started listening to artists like David Bowie.

Perry Farrell's Music Career

New Music with Kind Heaven Orchestra

Perry Farrell in 2009

In 2018, Farrell announced a new music project. It was called the Kind Heaven Orchestra. His wife, Etty Farrell, sang backing vocals. Other musicians like Matt Chamberlain and Matt Rohde joined the band. Their first show was at the Bill Graham Festival of Lights.

In October 2018, Farrell signed with BMG Rights Management. They released his second solo album, Kind Heaven, in 2019. Fans really wanted new music from him. The album reached second place on the Heatseekers album chart. Music critics gave the album good reviews.

In February 2022, Farrell started Heaven After Dark. These events combine music, visuals, and new artists. Later that year, Heaven After Dark became a record label. It aims to treat artists more fairly. The label has released several songs. These include "Turn Over The World" and "He’s A Rebel” Pink Panda Remix.

In May 2022, Farrell announced a new song. It was called "Mend" and was with Kind Heaven Orchestra.

Perry Farrell performs in 2024.

Creating Lollapalooza

In 1991, Perry Farrell created Lollapalooza. It quickly became a very important event for fans of alternative music. The festival shows off many different talented artists. It also helps create a worldwide community of music and art lovers.

Lollapalooza also works to promote social change. It encourages people to be active and care about the environment. The festival has grown a lot. It now takes place in eight different countries. These include Chicago, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France, Sweden, and India.

Kidzapalooza: Music for Kids

In 2005, music producer Tor Hyams had an idea. He suggested creating a stage just for kids at Lollapalooza. This stage would have family-friendly music. That year, Kidzapalooza was born.

Hyams still produces Kidzapalooza today. Famous artists like Slash and Patti Smith have performed there.

PurimPalooza: A Jewish Celebration

In 2006, Farrell performed at Purimpalooza. This event celebrates the Jewish holiday of Purim. It was a concert for all ages. It featured different Jewish musical groups. The event took place in Ruby Skye in San Francisco. Bands like Moshav and Matisyahu performed.

Perry Farrell's Other Work

Farrell has also worked on projects outside of music. He made a docudrama film called Gift. It was released in 1993. The film featured songs by Farrell and his girlfriend at the time, Casey Niccoli. Gift was released on VHS but never on DVD.

He teamed up with Tom Morello for his Axis of Justice tour. They raised money for homeless people in Los Angeles. After Hurricane Katrina, they went to New Orleans. They helped remove debris in the Ninth Ward to support local musicians.

Farrell cares a lot about the environment. He met with British prime minister Tony Blair in 2007. They talked about global warming. He gave Blair a CD with a song called "Woman in the Window."

In 2007, he worked with Global Cool. This group helps promote green living.

Farrell has also tried to bring music festivals to Israel. This included plans for "Lollapalooza Israel" in Tel Aviv in 2013. However, the event did not happen. The organizers said it was due to money problems and artists not wanting to perform there. In 2009, Farrell sang at an event called "Stand with Israel." This party supported victims of terror and showed support for Israel.

Perry Farrell's Family Life

Perry Farrell met his wife, Etty Lau Farrell, in 1997. She was a backing dancer on his tour. They got married in 2002. Farrell has three children. Two are with his wife, and one is from a previous relationship.

Music Albums and Songs

Psi Com

• 1985 Psi Com EP

Solo Albums

• 1999 Rev (a collection of songs)
• 2001 Song Yet to Be Sung
• 2019 Kind Heaven
• 2021 The Glitz; The Glamour (a box set)

Satellite Party

• 2007 Ultra Payloaded

Other Songs and Collaborations

• Featured on the song "Ripple" for a Grateful Dead tribute album (1991).
• Sang on the song "Hot Lava" for Chef Aid: The South Park Album (1998).
• Contributed vocals to "Children of Night" for the Doors tribute album (2000).
• Featured on the song "Time of your Life" on Paul Oakenfold's album Bunkka (2002).
• Featured on the song "Revolution Solution" on Thievery Corporation's album (2005).
• Contributed the song "Go All the Way (Into the Twilight)" to the Twilight Soundtrack (2008).
• Featured on "Killing Time" on Infected Mushroom's album (2009).
• Featured on "Got to Get You into My Life" on a Paul McCartney tribute album (2014).
• Featured on songs for the supergroup Hollywood Vampires (2015).
• Featured on "I Really Blew It" on the Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders album (2019).
• Featured on "Rock On" on a Marc Bolan tribute album (2020).
• Featured on "Oh the Sunn!" on the Avalanches album (2020).
• Featured on "So Trendy" with Sleaford Mods on the album UK Grim (2023).